Teachers will get bonuses!

Last week, IEA president Penni Cyr alerted members to some good news: regardless of the outcome of this November’s vote on Props 1, 2 and 3, teachers will get bonuses. Here’s the text of her message:

Dear IEA Leader:

Earlier this month, I sent a letter to Superintendent Tom Luna, requesting that he disburse the Pay for Performance wages that teachers earned last year. I have attached a copy of that letter for your review.

This afternoon, Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell posted a story on her blog in which Secretary of State Ben Ysursa confirms that the teacher wages earned last spring will be paid out by November 15th, regardless of what happens with Proposition 2 on November 6th.

I know this is not what many of you and your members have been hearing from your superintendents and principals these past few weeks. I know you are probably wondering what changed.

Well, according to reporter Russell, “If voters turn down the referenda, voting no on the propositions and repealing the reform laws, that move doesn’t take effect instantly on the day of the election. Instead, the repeal of the laws would take effect when the state Board of Canvassers certifies the results of the election, and the governor issues a proclamation declaring those results. The law says the measures would be “in full force and effect as the law of the state of Idaho from the date of said proclamation.””

Since the election results are not finalized until after November 15th and the law requires the money be transmitted to districts no later than that date, clearly the state must release the money at least a week before the election results are certified.

This is just one more example of how the Association is fighting on behalf all educators, whether they are conservative or progressive, members of our organization or potential members. For the past 120 years, the IEA has worked to enhance and defend the teaching profession and our public schools, and we’ll continue to do so.

I encourage you to share this information with your colleagues. Assure them that they will receive any wages they may have earned as a result of this law. Then, let’s use this considerable victory to catapult us into doing the work between now and November 6th to help voters understand that our kids are counting on us to speak up for them by voting NO on Propositions 1,2, and 3.